Firefighter?s Incentive Pay

As the illustrious Ben Franklin said - if you do not hang together, you will surely hang separately. For better or worse, the issue is take home cars. The city is counting on the majority of people keeping their cars, so that they can make an example of the rest. Those that keep the cars, for WHATEVER REASON, are doing a disservice to those that came before, and fought the fight to get the cars, and those that come after and who will suffer from the decisions made today.

Peer pressure is the way to go, if the decision goes against LMPD, and someone doesn't turn in their car, give them the cold shoulder. I don't mean not to back them up, but don't do anything FOR them - don't share off-duty or a cup of coffee, ostracize them. Make it clear that they have made a decision that is against the greater good. There has been plenty of time for officers to make other arrangements, set up carpooling, buy a beater, whatever. If you can't afford a beater car, you really are living way outside your means, and you should rethink your lifestyle. If you have the luxury of a wife at home, and she has the car, she can darn well get up and drive you to work. Ride the bus, carpool, do something. But do NOT keep the car.

We should take the example of the firefighters - THEY truly understand what is is to be a brother (and sister) hood, and are acting for the good of the many, not just looking out for themselves in the short term.